The United Kingdom (UK) Minister for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch, on Monday [today] visited the Charterhouse School, the first British independent school in West Africa.
The visit is aimed at building on the UK government’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s desire to offer high-quality education at home.
Badenoch toured the construction site of the new campus located in Lekki Ajah, Lagos with the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Girls Education, Helen Grant.
She expressed enthusiasm about the first British independent school in West Africa even as she described as brilliant the progress of the construction work at the Charterhouse site.
“The UK education system is rightly renowned around the world, and I hope the school will deliver a world-class learning experience to many students who choose to study here in Nigeria,” she said.
Also speaking, the Head/Director of Education, at Charterhouse School, John Todd emphasised how honourable it is to welcome Badenoch to Charterhouse Lagos and to showcase the impressive facilities being built.
He said: “As Nigeria’s first British independent school, we are proud of our British heritage through our partnership with Charterhouse UK and reaffirm our commitment to delivering world-class education in Nigeria.
“We express our gratitude to the UK government through the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos for their unwavering support over the past year.”
Meanwhile, the Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer and Comm Lead, Prosperity and Economic Development, Ndidiamaka Eze, in a statement, indicated recent talks between the UK and Nigeria have helped to remove restrictions to Transnational Education investment in Nigeria worth around £50 million – enabling UK Higher Education institutions build TNE partnerships with their Nigerian counterparts.
Eze added: “We hope this first major investment into Nigeria’s education sector will pave the way for more. The school aims to deliver a strong academic curriculum with day and boarding facilities, and with a focus on intra and extra-curricular activities including sports, arts, and science.
“It will open its doors to primary and secondary school students from Nigeria and beyond starting September 2024.”
The minister arrived in Nigeria on Sunday to begin a three-day visit to deepen the UK-Nigeria partnership.
The UK Minister’s visit is expected to take forward ongoing efforts by both countries to boost the UK-Nigeria trade relationship and unlock new investment opportunities.
While in Lagos, the UK Minister for Trade and Business will meet with other key businesses including Standard Chartered Bank, Avanti Satellite Communications, and IHS Towers, as well as the British development finance institution, British International Investment (BII), to discuss trade and investment opportunities for businesses on both sides.
Source: The Nation
